MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday jokingly told Speaker Martin Romualdez to return promptly to the Batasang Pambansa Complex, or she would soon replace him.
Duterte made the remark during an online press conference where she said she had many suggestions on how to improve the official headquarters of the House of Representatives.
The vice president is currently staying “indefinitely” at her brother Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte’s office so she can visit her chief of staff Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, who is under the custody of the Congress’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Article continues after this advertisementDespite this, Duterte lauded the lower chamber for having austerity measures, saying she was informed about scheduled power and water outages in the complex to reduce government spending.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO VP Duterte jokes with Romualdez: Return or I'll replace you as Speaker NEWSINFO Burial, medical aid: apex gaming88VP Sara Duterte says Noli de Castro did it first NEWSINFO Sara Duterte visits detained chief of staff, spends night at House“This is one thing na we have to give to the House of Representatives, i-recognize ‘yung kanilang austerity measures, pagpatay ng kuryente at ng tubig — actually marami akong suggestions sa Speaker of the House, on what to improve on the compound, meron akong suggestions,” said Duterte.
(This is one thing we have to give to the House of Representatives — recognizing their austerity measures, like cutting off electricity and water. Actually, I have a lot of suggestions for the Speaker of the House on how to improve the compound.)
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: VP Duterte ignores request to leave House after visiting chief of staff
Article continues after this advertisement“But yes, baka pagbalik niya sa Lunes ako na Speaker dito, VP-Speaker na tawag niyo lahat sa’kin. Bumalik na siya,” she added.
Article continues after this advertisement(But yes, maybe when he returns on Monday, I’ll be the Speaker here. You would all be calling me VP-Speaker. He should come back.)
She then acknowledged that Romualdez was in Samar for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, which she claimed to be one of the Speaker’s vote-buying tactics.
Article continues after this advertisement“I understand nasa Samar ba siya? Meron na naman siyang vote buying activities sa Samar,” she said.
(I understand he’s in Samar, right? He has vote-buying activities there again.)
INQUIRER.net has sought a comment from Romualdez’s camp on this but has yet to receive a response as of this writing.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
READ NEXT House orders transfer of VP Duterte’s aide to women’s ... VP Duterte: Romualdez is the only person who wants to kill me EDITORS' PICK Marcos on calls to suspend BARMM polls: It is being studied Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, Aaron Judge earns AL honor Rep. Chua: Do we have to remind VP Sara Duterte to follow House rules? Fil-Am lawyer named LA County Superior Court judge EJ Obiena opens pole vault facility, big opportunities for youth GCash says bank transfer glitch now resolved MOST READ What to know about first-ever Bangsamoro Parliament elections Burial, medical aid: VP Sara Duterte says Noli de Castro did it first NDC chief resigns, plans return to private sector Heavy NLEX traffic expected on Nov. 23 due to concert in PH Arena Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments